Missouri Tigers gymnastics concludes season at NCAA Regional Final
Mizzou gymnastics fell short of qualifying to the NCAA Championships on Sunday in Lexington, Kentucky, ending its season in the Sweet 16.
The Tigers fought through routine after routine. This year's appearance in the Sweet 16 marked their sixth straight in an NCAA Regional Final.
"I think we've set a certain standard," coach Shannon Welker said, "when we fall short on something that's really hard to do. It feels like disappointment, but it actually is just a new standard, just a young team trying to figure it out a little bit. I did think they left their best out there today."
Missouri's Hannah Horton will compete at the NCAA National Championships on April 16 in Fort Worth, Texas, as an individual on uneven bars. Horton has been a star for the Tigers in 2026.
She captured a share of the NCAA Lexington Regional Floor Championship with a 9.925 during Friday's competition, marking her second-career regional title after winning the uneven bar title at the 2025 Seattle Regional.
Mizzou has a senior class filled with athletes who transferred to Missouri toward the end of their careers, including Amy Wier, Lauren Macpherson, Makayla Green and Elise Tisler. These Tigers have embraced being at Mizzou and have enjoyed every moment.
"You wouldn't even know that they transferred," Welker said. "They just love it that much. So I'm sure that when they go back for alumni nights, they're coming back to Missouri."
Mizzou brought the party on floor exercise in the third rotation but was not rewarded with high scores compared to its competitors.
Railey Jackson opened Mizzou's dynamic floor rotation with a 9.850. Tisler earned a 9.800 in the second spot — a low score for a routine with controlled landings and well-executed leaps.
Despite several strong routines, Missouri struggled to break the 9.900 mark. Kennedy Griffin took to the floor and had the Tiger fans in the arena screaming for a perfect score. She showcased perfect control on both landings and earned 9.950.
Horton earned a 9.925, another Missouri floor routine that some fans felt could have been higher due to the strength in her tumbling and engaging choreography.
Missouri began its Nationals semifinal campaign on bars. Macpherson has been a steady bars competitor throughout 2026. On Sunday, she executed a sharp routine with a stuck dismount for a 9.850. Olivia Kelly followed with a solid routine that included a difficult Church release move, earning her 12th score of 9.800 or better with a 9.825.
Maiya Terry also earned a 9.850 after a step on her dismount. After multiple scores in the 9.800 range, the Tigers needed big numbers in the final two spots. Horton delivered with a near flawless routine, capped with a stuck double layout dismount and a 9.925. Freshman Kimarra Echols was solid in the anchor position, earning 9.850 and 49.300 overall for Mizzou.
While Missouri was on bars, Oklahoma was sticking multiple vaults. Mackenzie Estep earned a 9.950, while Addison Fatta and Elle Mueller brought in 9.925s for a 49.525 overall.
Arkansas brought the flare on floor. Morgan Price earned a 9.900, and Joscelyn Roberson earned a 9.950 for a 49.400 overall.
After a 48.950 on beam in the regional second round, the Tigers were looking for a sharper routine. Jackson led with a 9.825, while Wier continued with a 9.850 after fighting for the stick on her dismount.
Macpherson executed a difficult triple series and a strong dismount delivering a 9.875. Addison Lawrence anchored the rotation with a 9.875, marking a big moment for the senior after falling at Kentucky during the regular season and during Day 1 of the Regional tournament.
Oklahoma continued to excel during the competition earning a 49.475 on bars. Arkansas kept its momentum going by scoring a 49.275 on vault, led by a 9.950 from Lauren Williams.
Mizzou entered the final rotation in third place (148.000) behind Arkansas (148.025).
Griffin opened with a strong Yurchenko full for a 9.850 after a small hop back. Acevedo took a step back for a 9.800. Jackson earned a 9.825 after a hop back on her Yurchenko 11/2, while Tisler anchored the rotation with a massive Yurchenko 1.5 for a 9.850.
Welker wants to honor his current senior class by returning to the Elite Eight in 2027.
"How we honor them is making sure that they take a trip to come cheer us on at the NCAA Championships next year," Welker said. "That's how we honor those seniors."
Missouri entered 2026 after a historic 2025 season in which it finished third at the NCAA Championship Final. The Tigers have set a strong standard that has been displayed throughout the year.
Next season, incoming recruits in Kendall Morgan and Imani White will be introduced as Mizzou also looks to maintain a large amount of the current roster.
Copyright 2026 Columbia Missourian
This story was originally published April 6, 2026 at 10:22 AM with the headline "Missouri Tigers gymnastics concludes season at NCAA Regional Final."